The October 2019 OPPS quarterly update reassigned certain injections from non-payable to separately payable. CMS also revised the status indicators for several recently approved advanced diagnostic laboratory tests (ADLT).
HHS wants to update confidentiality rules that govern the medical records of substance use disorder patients, according to a proposed rule released August 22.
Q: We do in-depth HIPAA assessments for our clients, but some clients want a simple assessment that they can keep up with them to maintain compliance. Do you have any recommendations for streamlining security assessments?
Facility evaluation and management (E/M) coding is based on the facility resources utilized to provide medical care. Because CMS has not created national E/M guidelines for emergency department (ED) services, providers must create their own criteria for each visit level. Review your organization’s ED E/M leveling policies to ensure compliance.
Q: I work in a residential care facility, and we have smart speakers in some resident rooms. Patient information is discussed where these smart devices can “hear” it. Although most manufacturers claim speakers are not “listening in,” we all hear about how speakers sometimes do what manufacturers say they do not. Could these speakers lead to a HIPAA violation?
